Armed Attack in Ethiopia Kills Two Turkish Tourists and Driver

Two Turkish nationals and their Ethiopian driver were killed by armed bandits near Tum, southwestern Ethiopia. Two other Turkish citizens escaped. Ethiopian authorities responded quickly, and the victims were flown to Addis Ababa, with the deceased to be sent to Istanbul.

Two Turkish nationals and their Ethiopian driver were tragically killed in a violent attack by armed bandits while on a tourist trip in Ethiopia, Türkiye’s ambassador to Addis Ababa has confirmed. Ambassador Berk Baran told Anadolu Agency that the incident occurred on the morning of January 12 in a remote rural area near the town of Tum, situated in southwestern Ethiopia.
The victims have been identified as Turkish citizens Erdogan Akbulak and Cengizhan Gungor, along with their Ethiopian driver. According to Ambassador Baran, four Turkish nationals were travelling in two vehicles at the time of the attack. The two individuals in the lead vehicle managed to escape unharmed and promptly informed the Turkish embassy in Addis Ababa, allowing authorities to respond swiftly to the incident.
The ambassador explained that the surviving Turkish citizens, along with the bodies of those killed, were flown to Addis Ababa on Tuesday morning. He confirmed that the survivors were being hosted at the Turkish embassy, while the deceased were scheduled to be transported to Istanbul via Turkish Airlines later that night, with the flight expected to arrive the following morning.
Ambassador Baran praised the quick and effective response of Ethiopian authorities. He stated that once the incident was reported, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately reached out to convey condolences and offer support. A coordinated task force was quickly established, including officials from Ethiopia’s ministries of foreign affairs, tourism, and defense, alongside federal and local police units. This task force was responsible for investigating the attack and ensuring the safe transfer of the victims to Addis Ababa. The ambassador noted the high level of cooperation and support demonstrated by Ethiopian authorities throughout the process.
While the investigation into the perpetrators of the attack is ongoing, Ambassador Baran pointed out that the area where the incident occurred is a popular destination for tourists, with Turkish visitors among those frequently visiting the region. He emphasized the importance of travellers researching the areas they plan to visit in advance and noted that the Turkish embassy remains ready to provide guidance and support to citizens planning trips to Ethiopia.
The ambassador concluded by extending his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and expressing hopes for the speedy recovery of the survivors. He reaffirmed the embassy’s commitment to assisting Turkish citizens abroad, particularly in ensuring their safety and well-being during travel. The tragic incident has prompted renewed attention on travel safety in the region and highlighted the ongoing risks posed by armed criminal groups in certain rural areas of Ethiopia.